Picks and Pans Review: Official Special Olympics Celebrity Cook Book

The editors, who are sisters and Grand Rapids, Mich, housewives, became interested in the Special Olympics for the mentally retarded through Buursma's work as an aide in a class for the learning-disabled. That inspired them to round up an all-star collection of recipes to raise funds for the cause. Burt Reynolds contributed a beef stew, John Ritter his favorite fudge, Cheryl Tiegs a California salad, Farrah Fawcett a roast Cornish hen and Gene Kelly an Irish potato sandwich (day-old boiled potatoes on soft white bread). Phyllis George Brown offers Kentucky ambrosia salad without fried chicken, Rosalynn Carter a cheese ring and Ted Kennedy, whose family created the Special Olympics, sent his Cape Cod fish chowder. (Piper Publishing, Minneapolis, $12)